Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-08
y.-HYDROCEPUALCS.

long to the days OF chlldhood,-the times before
the Wharf.-The before Cleveland age.-but, be
not deceived: evil antecedents corrupt good
breeding, and are not easily trained out OF exist
eDce. tell YOU the prosecutors of these vicious
creations are as prolific to-day as they ever
were, and when there is a cross between
them and some fantastic tramp o. a modern
style, the progeny Is still more deplorable. IL
these things We're only per!sh:be, Ike their build
er. even like the trees that hide for time their
nake.ineSs and deiOrrGity. | should not despair;
there would still be hope Ior the next generation
OF hOme-lOying people. forit Is certain that none
OF these frantic experiments has sufficient
strength OF body or soul To become distinct and
permanent type. They VIII all, sooner or later,
b. consigned 20 the limbo Of Old and ugly fashions
which must De endured because they cannot be
cured"
Leaving for the present Johns criticisms to pass
for what they are worth, ii appears that the two
Important questions in his letter were any,
thing can be done 20 check the increasing mar
rOwnes5 OF city lots. and hOyr tie houses that
must be built upon them can be improved. II Is
20 be feared that a satisfactory answer TO the
second question would go Tar toward defeating
any attempt 10 correct the evil implied Ia the first
Concerning the broader question relative to the
visible beauty or the capital, eternal vigilance,
patient endeavor, here little and there little,
are the main resources. Anomalous as it seems
that the residents Of the capital the great re-
pubic should be a. helpless and voiceleS5 In the
administration OF It's government the subjects
OF the most despotic ruler, IT is stiIl, without
doubt. one OF the best governed cities III the
world The one thing TO be prayed for now Is that
the voters or The country at large, among whom
the Inhabitants OF tie District OF Columbia are
not included may select Tor their represent
In the national Congress men who stand so strong
In honesty, Intelligence and patriotism that tneir
political hopes VIII I0. be blasted II they treat
the ciy o: the nations with the strict Justice
ard wise 1Ocr'Iity that are supposed 10 distin-
guiSh the righteous ruler. and who. speaking
directly To the point. will not fear to make s,iita.
bic appropriation, TOR The benefit OF the cfty LEST
they lOs. tueir CitnCeS of reelection Some time
IL the blessed fGture the servants OF the people
VIII ind That pO-itical death Is not the reward OF
public integrity
These reflections are not so far from the subject
Is they may seen: indeed they lie very close TO it,
Tor IL needs b,;t BRIEF study OF The original plan
OF the city and OF IL history and hasty survey
OF It's present. actual condition 10 convince US that
the grand pit posi- o. is founders have been to a
great extent ANONYMOUSLY defeated. 1t was
plainly INTENDED ior noble metropolis not merely
ac1ty OF mas afcelt distances bllf OF ulaCDfcencr
IA all las FEATURES III It's streets and avenues, in
Its parks ami Dub4i: squares, its monuments and
ITS architecture, pubic and private Its founders
had practical Faith IN the sublime destiny OF the
nation, wHcn II We may Judge by their works
their descendants have failed TO share, or. per
haps, u would b. more Just 10 say that we do not
feel our put f RESPONSIBILITIES a tbev reIt them
10 not realize The significant fact that we too
even in the piping times peace are stilI making
history, SIN shaping the destiny OF the nation
Tor sOCU or IL, whether We Intend IL or not
THE ARCHITECT TO TIE CONGRESSMAN.
The connection between these comments by the
way, and the building OF houses VIII DC more fully
and W HIGH ran Is follows:
"Dear John: Before attempting TO answer your
Inquiries let me say that hope Your wish TO im-
prove the domestic architecture OF Washington IL
based upon the solid rock OF PATRIOTISM and In
cludes the feryent desire that the capital OF YOUR
country shall be the most beautiful the most
glorious city IN the world. thrust you would feel
the same desire even II You lived on the shores OF
Behring'S straits and never Washington ex-
cept On the occasion OF the pious pilgrimage which
as loyal citizen you would make once I'm Your
life TO the city which the father OF his country
founded and left sacred legacy, 10 the children
Of the republic We can no longer plead youth or
poverty In excuse Tor the rank our capital holds In
eompsrfson with those OF other nations Our
youth and vigor and the fact that we are not en-
numbered With dead loads or Anticipated heirlooms
arr ali Ia favor and renders failure to and
at the head instead OF very nearly II not quite al
the foot, ali the more disgraceful. Now, are you
BEGINNING 10 understand what mean by saying
thai patriotic feeling has an intimate relation "
Washington architecture?
I'll SOLEMN THING TO BUILD House
anywhere, even in a wilderness. You assume q
grave responsibility when you make your marx
fndeIibly and unalterably on the face OF nature
or In the streets Of city, 10 be seen and read OF
ALI men, and OF al. places on the lace OK the earth
there is none In which the incentives 10 the Ut
most endeavor are stronger than here. with the
crave background OF the earlier pubic buildings
SDlemn and sometimes pathetic reminders not
alone OF the fact that art Is long, but that only the
fr.esf and purest devotion 10 art Tor arts sake
AL save ir from retrOgresSon, with the certainty
oS fhe Wtldest publicity, with the amiaole ambi-
non 70 prove the rest OF the word mistaken In the
oft-repested taunt that there = no love Or knowL